Local officers invite citizens to attend the Citizens Police Academy

Wednesday

Jul 12, 2017 at 4:00 AM

By DAN STARCHERStaff Writer

WOOSTER -- It started with a vision that people can live in harmony.

From there, Darion Stanford took it on himself to organize the Community Praise and Worship event at Wayne Center for the Arts where community members came together on Saturday to grill hot dogs, sing songs, visit with each other -- and meet local police officers.

Despite the fun everyone was having, a serious message permeated the event. Wooster Police Officer Josh Timko took to the stage and spoke briefly about the role police officers play in the community and how important it is for people to understand what they deal with on a daily basis.

One of the ways the department is hoping to have a positive impact in the community is by inviting citizens to participate in the Citizens Police Academy. It is a program designed to simulate situations that police officers find themselves in on a daily basis.

"Three years ago, the Wooster Police Department held the first Citizens Police Academy. It was a trial; the first few groups that went through were hand-picked," said Timko. "It went amazingly well. After the first class they started an alumni association."

Timko explained that the alumni association has donated money to Hoops for Unity, a local basketball program that brings community members and first responders together on the basketball court, as well as other programs.

Another thing the former students want to do is ensure the program continues.

"The hope is to extend this academy to members of the community," said Timko. "Anyone who is interested in going through and seeing what police officers go through. The biggest thing for me is the community relations aspect. We see what is going on in the community and it isn't good."

Wooster Police Sgt. Clint Bartolic explained to the crowd that the more the general public knows about the job the police do, they will know why we do it. "That is way the CPA was started," said Bartolic. "It will give you an insight to the job we have to do."

Minister Nate Walker, who served as the emcee, thanked the officers for taking the time to attend the service.

"These guys take the brunt of everything," said Walker. "Mainly because of what you see on television. These are some of Wooster's finest, they showed up to talk to us today."

"Look, not every cop is a good cop, just like not every person is a good person," said Timko. "I care deeply about this community and I go out every day and try to make it better."

Reporter Dan Starcher can be reached at 330-287-1626 or dstarcher@the-daily-record.com. He is @danstarcher on Twitter.